Shark Dive Maui

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

From Maui Ocean Center’s website:

Guaranteed shark sightings! Descend into the depths of our 750,000 gallon Open Ocean exhibit and become immersed in Hawaii’s rich underwater world with over 20 sharks, stingrays, and thousands of tropical reef fish.

Days: Available Monday, Wednesday and Friday year-round

Times: Starts at 8:15am, lasts about 2-2.5 hours

Includes: Admission to the aquarium for diver and one viewing guest,
weight belt and air tank. You can also bring in up to 4 other guests at a
20% discount.

Restrictions: Must be scuba certified and age 15 or over.

Reservations: Reservations required. Limited to 4 divers a day, two at a time. Call (808) 270-7075 or email info@mauioceancenter.com

Cost: $199 per diver plus tax.

Don’t miss this experience of a lifetime!

For FAQ’s, click here to learn more!

Kalalau Valley to close in the fall

Filed Under FYI, Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Kalalau rock mitigation- Garden Island News

If you’re planning a trip to Kauai in the fall and have sunset on Kalalau Beach on your to do list, you’ll need to rethink that. The DLNR will be doing massive “rockfall mitigation” work on the south end of Kalalau Beach due to rockslide issues and the entire valley will be closed for at least two months starting in the beginning of September. (Plan on that extending just because they may not know what they’re in for until they start the project)

Some say that because of the lack of enforcement and regular maintenance of toilets in the area that this is a way for them to finally close off the Na Pali coast since there have been many injuries and deaths. This is only speculation of course but if you have Kalalau on your bucket list, squeezing in a summer trip might not be a bad idea.

To read more about this story, click here for the Garden Island News’ article.

Don’t wake the Sleeping Giant

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

giant The Nounou Mountain range has long been known to locals as Sleeping Giant due to it’s resemblance to a slumbering figure. Legend says the giant once roamed the island and was loved by the Hawaiians. The village chief wanted a new heiau built and the giant volunteered since the villagers were too busy farming the taro they had planted in his footsteps. It took him two weeks to finish the heiau and when he was done, the village had a huge luau for him. He ate so much at the party, the giant laid down and hasn’t awakened since!

Some people like to hike the Sleeping Giant trail. If you’re looking for a good hike while on vacation, this may be the perfect one for you! You can get directions and info on the hike here.

Maui Onion Festival this Saturday!

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

mauionion It’s time for the 21st Annual Maui Onion Festival! There are onions. And then there are Maui Kula Onions. Believed by many to be the sweetest onions in the whole wide world, these glorious bulbs are the star of Maui’s annual festival.

The Maui Onion Festival has been a signature event at Whalers Village since 1990. It’s dedicated to the cultivation and promotion of the world-famous Maui Kula Onion and is attended by thousands of visitors and residents every year.

For more information, you can go to Whalers Village website.

Receive a free Maui Onion Festival canvas bag when you spend $150 or more.

• Free admission
• Recipe contests
• Games & prizes
• Beer garden
• Maui Onion Pairing Dinner
• Chef demonstrations
• Live entertainment
• Food booths
• Special retailer offers

Valentine’s Day at Maui Ocean Center

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

moc Enjoy a romantic evening surrounded by the beauty of Hawaii’s marine life at Maui Ocean Center’s 8th annual Sea of Love! Dine on a decadent four-course meal with your choice of entree, exquisitely prepared by James Beard Nominee Chef Henry Tariga and catered by the award-winning Seascape Ma’alaea Restaurant.

Semi-private seating against the enchanting backdrops of the Aquarium’s Living Reef and Open Ocean exhibits promises you an intimate Valentine’s Day experience like no other. Maui Ocean Center’s signature event is $99 plus gratuity and tax per person and includes a welcome glass of sparkling wine and special Valentine’s lei for the ladies. Seating times are between 6pm-8pm on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Seating is limited, call early to avoid disappointment.

Reservations
Call 808.270.7088
Monday-Friday
9am-4pm

Take a hike!

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

450px-kalalau_trail_2004-08-22 One of Hawaii’s greatest past times is getting out there and seeing all of nature’s beauty on the hiking trails available. It can be overwhelming deciding which ones would be of most interest, fit you and your group’s physical ability and know how long each trail is.

If you’re planning a trip to the islands and want to include hiking in your itinerary, the Na Ala Hele website is a great resource!

Just choose which island you’re interested in and a map of the island will come up with numbers that correspond to specific trails. Mouse over the number and it will give you a summary of stats about the trail like the name, length of trail, difficulty, activity available on the trail, elevation, features and hazards.

Click on the number for more detailed info and a general map of the area. You should always be prepared when hiking and bring survival items in your backpack. Water, food, GPS or compass are incredibly helpful, first aid kit, flashlight and batteries. Walking sticks come in handy when going on steep or narrow trails.
Photo by Matt Wright

Maui Ocean Center Sea Talk Series today

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Maui Ocean Center on today from 6-7pm for a complimentary Sea Talk Series on Polynesian Voyaging with Kekai Kapu. Kapu will share a fascinating lecture on the voyages of Polynesia, including the building of the 62-ft double-hull canoe Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani, the launching of the Mo’okiha this June, and the world voyage that will happen in 2012.

Kekai Kapu is a Native Hawaiian and Cultural Practitioner of Hawaiian Weaponry. He also serves as a board Director for Maui’s Hui O Wa’a Kaulua. Kapu is currently involved in the restoration of Hawaiian Canoes at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel and assisting with the building of a 6-man sailing canoe that will be completed at the closing of Makahiki. He has great love and compassion for his culture and its people.

Founded in Lahaina, Hawaii in 1975, Hui O Wa’a Kaulua (Assembly of the Double-Hulled Canoe) is a non-profit cultural organization that primarily through the life of canoes, commits to preserving, protecting, perpetuating and teaching Hawaiian culture. For more information, visit the Hui O Wa’a Kaulua Facebook page.

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time: 6-7pm, gate opens at 5:50pm
Place: Open Ocean Exhibit, enter through the Aquarium’s front gate
Admission: Complimentary

New Years Eve fireworks in Hawaii

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

KITV has put together a list of places for each island that will have fireworks displays. If you’re lucky enough to be ringing in the new year island style, here’s where you can find the light shows.

Oahu:
Wet ‘N Wild Hawaii (waterpark) 6 p.m.
Aloha Tower Marketplace: midnight
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort: midnight
Waikiki Beach: midnight

Maui:
Grand Wailea Resort: midnight

Big Island:
Four Seasons - Hualalai: midnight

Kauai:
Sheraton Kauai Resort (Poipu Beach): 10 p.m.

Mangolicious treats at Big Island’s Parker Ranch Friday

Filed Under Food Finds, Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

If you’re going to be on the Big Island this Friday, make sure you stop by Parker Ranch in Waimea.

All the way from Hilo, Hawaii, County Economic Council, “Rainbow Falls Connection” will be tasting their famous Mango Butter Spread! The perfect gift to take home, and don’t forget at least one jar for yourself! Experience the scrumptious flavor of island mango. Their fresh butter, lavosh, honey, and other Hawaiian treats, are 100% Made in Hawaii with the freshest island ingredients. You will also purchase with a purpose: All sales support the programs that help low income community members gain skills to become self- sufficient. Parker Ranch Store is proud to support our local businesses, and hope you will join them on Friday, November 20th, from 9am-1pm for a taste of the Big Island!

Can’t make it to Hawaii? Click below and go to the “Kitchen and Pantry” section and you can buy from there!

Whales take an early trip back to the islands

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Apparently the whales have decided to come back to the islands. Hawaii Magazine has listed some of the best places to catch them on each island:

Oahu: The Makapuu Point lookout and lighthouse and Halona Blowhole lookout on Oahu’s south shore offer great vantage points, with wide ocean vistas. Both lookouts are located off Kalanianaole Hwy, and have free parking.

Maui: The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Learning Center in the south shore resort community of Kihei has an on site viewing scope and personnel available to answer any questions you might have on whales and whale behavior. The center, located at 726 S. Kihei Road, is open Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Driving to and from Lahaina? There are also several good lookouts for whale spotting along West Maui’s Hwy 30.

The Big Island: Kapaa Beach Park, on the northern tip of the island near Hawi, is a bit rocky for swimming. But the cove guarantees calm, clear waters, which make conditions easier for spotting passing humpbacks. The beach is located off Hwy 270, north of the South Kohala town of Kawaihae.

Kauai: The peninsula of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai’s beautiful north shore has an excellent ocean panorama. From a designated observation area in the shadow of the peninsula’s historic lighthouse, you’ll be able to whale watch from sea cliffs hundreds of feet above the turbulent north shore surf. Admission to the refuge is $5; hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

For more information on what kinds of whale behaviors to look for as you enjoy them, see the rest of the Hawaii Magazine article here.

keep looking »